About Batik

Batik is a method of dying fabrics and sometimes paper in which some areas are covered with wax, glues, or specially made products to keep dyes from penetrating the fabric. Typically the wax or other product is laid down in a pattern and then the paint is applied and allowed to dry. The wax is then removed. The area under the wax keeps its original color with an occasional line of color giving it a somewhat crackled look.

The uniqueness of Malaysian Batik is the integration of motifs of flowers, leaves and heritage in an abstract style based on the creativity and identity of the artisan. In addition the variety of vibrant tones makes Malaysian batik unique and appealing to the global market.

Primarily, there are two main types of batik are produced in Malaysia today. Hand-painted or Batik canting and block-printed Batik. The difference lies in the production techniques, motif and aesthetic expressions; each is often classified according to the tools used.